Effects of sintering temperature on microstructure, properties, and crushing behavior of ceramic proppants

Ceramic proppants with excellent performance were successfully prepared by second grade bauxite. The phase structure and the microstructure were investigated via X-Ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggested that bulk density and apparent density constantly increased, while the breakage ratio gradually decreased with the increasing in sintering temperature. When the sintering temperature reached to 1500 degrees C, the breakage ratio obtained lowest value of 3.6% under 52 MPa closed pressure, which satisfied the requirement of Chinese Petroleum and Gas Industry standard. Furthermore, the mode of fracture for ceramic proppants was transformed from intergranular fracture into transgranular fracture and open pores had larger influence than closed pores for breakage ratio of ceramic proppants.